Experiences of autistic people in supported employment in France: a participatory research project

This publication is included in the Autistic Autism Scholarship Project. two authors of this publication are identified as autistic in the project.

About the autistic author marker

Dachez, J., Seksek, S., Ete, N., Bianciotto, M., Toubhans, M. P., Rachedi Nasri, Z., Bureau, R., & Garnier, P. (2024). Experiences of autistic people in supported employment in France: a participatory research project. Advances in Autism, 10(4), 323-339. https://doi.org/10.1108/aia-03-2024-0022

Publication date: 23 Sep 2024 Added to AutiHub: 7 Sep 2026 Type: Article Article language: English

This publication is integrated into AutiHub through:

Authors

Publication authors
8
Publication authors identified as autistic
2 / 8 (25.0%)

Abstract

Purpose The employment rate of autistic people is low, and they are often employed in low-paying jobs or in jobs involving tasks that fall short of their skills and competence. To address this situation, the individual placement and support method (IPS) offers promising perspectives for personalized and long-term support measures. This evidence-based method has produced positive results in several countries. IPS has been used in France only since 2016. This paper aims to examine the experience of autistic people in France who have benefitted from supported employment measures. Design/methodology/approach Nineteen autistic adults in France took part in semistructured interviews. Interview questions focused on work and measures to support employment. The authors analysed the interviews using reflexive thematic analysis, within the paradigm of critical realism. The authors adopted a participatory approach; the project was led by an autistic researcher and autistic individuals were included at all stages. Findings This study identified six primary themes and three subthemes across the data: (1) The uphill battle to obtain adjustments in the workplace; (2) insufficient knowledge of autism; (2.1) explaining again and again: the educative burden; (3) the challenge of making oneself heard; (3.1) when the entourage steps in; (4) support measures as material assistance and reassurance; (4.1) between benevolence and condescension; (5) organizational factors that affect the quality of support; and (6) personal and professional life are closely intertwined. Originality/value This research provides a better understanding of how autistic people experience supported employment in France and highlights ways to improve it. Job coaches play a crucial role in offering practical help and reassurance, and their efforts to nurture an active personal life are perceived positively. However, supported employment also carries the risk of limiting autistic individuals' capacity for action and causing several difficulties if job coaches are not well-informed about autism, do not reflect on their own attitudes, do not assist in obtaining necessary accommodations and if there are organizational problems leading to a lack of resources.

Bibliography cited by this reference

Cited references are imported from external metadata sources when they are available. The list may be partial.

Cited bibliography overview

These indicators describe the bibliography cited by this publication. An author name is counted each time it appears in one cited reference, so the same person can be counted more than once. Names not yet linked to an author already present in AutiHub are treated as unknown, not as non-autistic. Last computed: 12 Sep 2026 18:17.

Cited references
72
With a DOI
66
Without a DOI, from raw bibliography text
6
12 / 72 (16.7%) cited references include at least one author identified as autistic.
References with data to complete
7 / 72 (9.7%)
References with detected author names
65 / 72 (90.3%)
Without detected author names
7
Without a structured title
3
Without a stable identifier
5
References with raw author names still to review
3
References with external metadata lookup issues
1
These indicators apply to cited references displayed on this page, after technical duplicates have been merged. A reference without a DOI can still support author statistics when a title and author names are available.
Author names detected in the cited bibliography
254
From DOI or external metadata
254
From validated raw bibliography text
0
Raw names already validated
0
Raw names still to review
3
113 / 254 (44.5%) names are linked to an author already present in AutiHub. 141 / 254 (55.5%) names are not yet linked.
Names linked to a person identified as autistic
28 / 254 (11.0%)
Calculated across all author names detected in the cited bibliography. Among names linked to an author already present in AutiHub: 28 / 113 (24.8%). Distinct people identified as autistic: 23 / 227 (10.1%).
  1. R E Drake , D R Becker , J C Biesanz , P F Wyzik , W C Torrey (1996). Day treatment versus supported employment for persons with severe mental illness: a replication study . Psychiatric Services, 47(10), 1125-1127. American Psychiatric Association Publishing.
    Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
  2. Mengühan Araz Altay (2019). Family Physicians' Awareness of Autism Spectrum Disorder: Results from a Survey Study . Open Access Macedonian Journal of Medical Sciences, 7(6), 967-972. Scientific Foundation Spiroski (publications).
    Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
  3. Allison Milner , Andrew Page , Anthony D. LaMontagne (2013). Long-Term Unemployment and Suicide: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis . PLoS ONE, 8(1), e51333. Public Library of Science (PLoS).
    Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
  4. Susanna Baldwin , Debra Costley , Anthony Warren (2014). Employment Activities and Experiences of Adults with High-Functioning Autism and Asperger’s Disorder . Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 44(10), 2440-2449. Springer Science and Business Media LLC.
    Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
  5. González Moreno, Andrés Santiago (2013). Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders . American Psychiatric Association.
    Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
  6. Isabelle Durand-Zaleski , Jan Scott , Frédéric Rouillon , Marion Leboyer (2012). A first national survey of knowledge, attitudes and behaviours towards schizophrenia, bipolar disorders and autism in France . BMC Psychiatry, 12(1), 128. Springer Science and Business Media LLC.
    Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
  7. Autism Outcomes (2022), “2017 National Autism Indicators Report: developmental disability services and outcomes in adulthood”, available at: https://drexel.edu/autismoutcomes/publications-and-reports/publications/National-Autism-Indicators-Report-Developmental-Disability-Services-and-Outcomes-in-Adulthood/
    Type: Other
    Crossref
  8. Robert E. Drake , Gary R. Bond (2011). IPS Support Employment: A 20-Year Update . American Journal of Psychiatric Rehabilitation, 14(3), 155-164. University of Nebraska Press.
    Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
  9. Lynn Mawhood , Patricia Howlin (1999). The Outcome of a Supported Employment Scheme for High-Functioning Adults with Autism or Asperger Syndrome . Autism, 3(3), 229-254. SAGE Publications.
    Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
  10. Steven K. Kapp *Autistic author. Learn more… , Kristen Gillespie-Lynch , Lauren E. Sherman , Ted Hutman (2013). Deficit, difference, or both? Autism and neurodiversity. Developmental Psychology, 49(1), 59-71. American Psychological Association (APA).
    Type: Article DOI: 10.1037/a0028353 OpenAlex: https://openalex.org/W2124715426
    AutiHub · Autistic Autism Scholarship Project Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
  11. Paul Wehman , Stephanie Lau , Alissa Molinelli , Valerie Brooke , Katie Thompson , Chandler Moore et al. (2012). Supported Employment for Young Adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder: Preliminary Data . Research and Practice for Persons with Severe Disabilities, 37(3), 160-169. SAGE Publications.
    Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
  12. Deborah R. Becker , Robert E. Drake (1994). Individual placement and support: A community mental health center approach to vocational rehabilitation . Community Mental Health Journal, 30(2), 193-206. Springer Science and Business Media LLC.
    Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
  13. Rosie Cope , Anna Remington (2022). The Strengths and Abilities of Autistic People in the Workplace . Autism in Adulthood, 4(1), 22-31. SAGE Publications.
    Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
  14. K. Boshoff , D. Gibbs , R. L. Phillips , L. Wiles , L. Porter (2018). Parents' voices: “Our process of advocating for our child with autism.” A meta‐synthesis of parents' perspectives . Child: Care, Health and Development, 44(1), 147-160. Wiley.
    Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
  15. June L. Chen , Geraldine Leader , Connie Sung , Michael Leahy (2015). Trends in Employment for Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder: a Review of the Research Literature . Review Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 2(2), 115-127. Springer Science and Business Media LLC.
    Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
  16. Gemma Spiers (2015). Choice and caring: The experiences of parents supporting young people with Autistic Spectrum Conditions as they move into adulthood . Children & Society, 29(6), 546-557. Wiley.
    Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
  17. Tom Burns , Jocelyn Catty (2008). IPS in Europe: The EQOLISE trial. Psychiatric Rehabilitation Journal, 31(4), 313-317. American Psychological Association (APA).
    Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
  18. Serene Habayeb , Anne Inge , Yetta Myrick , Amanda Hastings , Melissa Long , Sarah Barclay Hoffman et al. (2023). A Multisystem Approach to Improving Autism Care . Pediatrics, 152(5), e2022060584. American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP).
    Type: Article DOI: 10.1542/peds.2022-060584
    Crossref OpenCitations
  19. Patricia Howlin , Susan Goode , Jane Hutton , Michael Rutter (2004). Adult outcome for children with autism . Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, 45(2), 212-229. Wiley.
    Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
  20. Virginia Braun , Victoria Clarke (2021). One size fits all? What counts as quality practice in (reflexive) thematic analysis? Qualitative Research in Psychology, 18(3), 328-352. Informa UK Limited.
    Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
  21. Anne M. Roux , Paul Shattuck , Benjamin P. Cooper , Kristy A. Anderson , Mary Wagner , Sarah C. Narendorf (2013). Postsecondary Employment Experiences Among Young Adults With an Autism Spectrum Disorder . Journal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, 52(9), 931-939. Elsevier BV.
    Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
  22. Carol M. Schall , Paul Wehman , Valerie Brooke , Carolyn Graham , Jennifer McDonough , Alissa Brooke et al. (2015). Employment Interventions for Individuals with ASD: The Relative Efficacy of Supported Employment With or Without Prior Project SEARCH Training . Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 45(12), 3990-4001. Springer Science and Business Media LLC.
    Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
  23. Stuart Read , Anne Parfitt , Tanvir Bush , Ben Simmons , Martin Levinson (2022). Disabled People’s Experiences of the Coronavirus Pandemic: A Call to Action for Social Change . Social Inclusion, 11(1), 38. Cogitatio.
    Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
  24. Kelsey L. Bush , Marc J. Tassé (2017). Employment and choice-making for adults with intellectual disability, autism, and down syndrome . Research in Developmental Disabilities, 65, 23-34. Elsevier BV.
    Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
  25. Eilidh Cage , Zoe Troxell-Whitman (2019). Understanding the Reasons, Contexts and Costs of Camouflaging for Autistic Adults . Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 49(5), 1899-1911. Springer Science and Business Media LLC.
    Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
  26. (2021). How might we best support the effective and meaningful employment of autistic people and improve outcomes? Advances in Autism, 7(1), 41.
    Type: Other DOI: 10.1108/aia08-2020-0046
    Crossref
  27. Mathieu Lafrechoux , Angélina Visseault , Gwenaël Alleno (2018). Questionnements autour de l’accompagnement des conseillers en emploi accompagné . Pratiques en santé mentale, 64e année(3), 13-16. CAIRN.
    Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
  28. Domingo García-Villamisar , Paul Wehman , Maria Diaz Navarro (2002). Changes in the quality of autistic people’s life that work in supported and sheltered employment: a 5-year follow-up study . Journal of Vocational Rehabilitation, 17(4), 309. SAGE Publications.
    Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
  29. Sarah Cassidy , K. Gould , E. Townsend , Mirabel Pelton , Ashley Robertson , Jacqui Rodgers (2020). Is Camouflaging Autistic Traits Associated with Suicidal Thoughts and Behaviours? Expanding the Interpersonal Psychological Theory of Suicide in an Undergraduate Student Sample . Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 50(10), 3638-3648. Springer Science and Business Media LLC.
    Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
  30. Laura Hull , Lily Levy , Meng-Chuan Lai , K.V. Petrides , Simon Baron-Cohen , Carrie Allison et al. (2021). Is social camouflaging associated with anxiety and depression in autistic adults? Molecular Autism, 12(1), 1. Springer Science and Business Media LLC.
    Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
  31. Ifigeneia Mavranezouli , Odette Megnin-Viggars , Nadir Cheema , Patricia Howlin , Simon Baron-Cohen , Stephen Pilling (2014). The cost-effectiveness of supported employment for adults with autism in the United Kingdom . Autism, 18(8), 975-984. SAGE Publications.
    Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
  32. Julia cook , Laura Hull , Laura Crane , Will Mandy (2021). Camouflaging in autism: A systematic review . Clinical Psychology Review, 89(102), 102080. Elsevier BV.
    Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
  33. Bernard Pachoud (2018). L’emploi accompagné: rupture ou continuité avec les approches traditionnelles d’aide à l’insertion professionnelle? Pratiques en santé mentale, 64e année(3), 21-26. CAIRN.
    Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
  34. Derek K. Nord , Roger J. Stancliffe , Kelly Nye-Lengerman , Amy S. Hewitt (2016). Employment in the community for people with and without autism: A comparative analysis . Research in Autism Spectrum Disorders, 24, 11-16. Elsevier BV.
    Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
  35. Darren Hedley , Mirko Uljarević , Lauren Cameron , Santoshi Halder , Amanda Richdale , Cheryl Dissanayake (2017). Employment programmes and interventions targeting adults with autism spectrum disorder: A systematic review of the literature . Autism, 21(8), 929-941. SAGE Publications.
    Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
  36. Robert E. Drake , Gary R. Bond , Deborah R. Becker (2012). Individual Placement and Support . Oxford University Press.
    Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
  37. Jennifer McLaren , Jonathan D. Lichtenstein , Daniel Lynch , Deborah Becker , Robert Drake (2017). Individual Placement and Support for People with Autism Spectrum Disorders: A Pilot Program . Administration and Policy in Mental Health and Mental Health Services Research, 44(3), 365-373. Springer Science and Business Media LLC.
    Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
  38. Mikaela Finn , Rebecca L. Flower , Han Ming Leong , Darren Hedley (2023). ‘If I’m just me, I doubt I’d get the job’: A qualitative exploration of autistic people’s experiences in job interviews . Autism, 27(7), 2086-2097. SAGE Publications.
    Crossref OpenCitations
  39. Margaret Winzer , Kas Mazurek (2017). The Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities . In The Wiley Handbook of Diversity in Special Education (pp. 1-22). Wiley.
    OpenAlex
  40. Shanna K. Kattari *Autistic author. Learn more… , Miranda Olzman , Michele D. Hanna (2018). “You Look Fine!” . Affilia, 33(4), 477-492. SAGE Publications.
    Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
  41. Alisha Ohl , Mira Grice Sheff , Sarah Small , Jamie Nguyen , Kelly Paskor , Aliza Zanjirian (2017). Predictors of employment status among adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder . Work, 56(2), 345-355. SAGE Publications.
    OpenAlex
  42. Jonathan Vincent , Kevin Ralston (2020). Trainee teachers’ knowledge of autism: implications for understanding and inclusive practice . Oxford Review of Education, 46(2), 202-221. Informa UK Limited.
    Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
  43. Christopher E. Whelpley , Cynthia P. May (2023). Seeing is Disliking: Evidence of Bias Against Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder in Traditional Job Interviews . Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 53(4), 1363-1374. Springer Science and Business Media LLC.
    Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
  44. Kris Southby , Olivia Robinson (2018). Information, Advocacy and Signposting as a Low-Level Support for Adults with High-Functioning Autism Spectrum Disorder: An Example from the UK . Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 48(2), 511-519. Springer Science and Business Media LLC.
    Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
  45. GOV. UK (2024), “The Buckland Review of Autism Employment: report and recommendations”, Consulté 6 juillet 2024, à l’adresse, available at: www.gov.uk/government/publications/the-buckland-review-of-autismemployment-report-and-recommendations/the-buckland-review-of-autism-employment-report-andrecommendations
    Type: Other
    Crossref
  46. Erin Harmuth , Emerald Silletta , Anthony Bailey , Tracy Adams , Charlotte Beck , Skye Pamela Barbic (2018). Barriers and Facilitators to Employment for Adults With Autism: A Scoping Review . Annals of International Occupational Therapy, 1(1), 31-40. SLACK, Inc..
    Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
  47. Emine Gürbüz , Mary Hanley , Deborah M. Riby (2019). University Students with Autism: The Social and Academic Experiences of University in the UK . Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 49(2), 617-631. Springer Science and Business Media LLC.
    Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
  48. Chloe Walsh , Sinéad Lydon , Emily O’Dowd , Paul O’Connor (2020). Barriers to Healthcare for Persons with Autism: A Systematic Review of the Literature and Development of A Taxonomy . Developmental Neurorehabilitation, 23(7), 413-430. Informa UK Limited.
    Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
  49. Melissa Scott , Ben Milbourn , Marita Falkmer , Melissa H. Black , Sven Bölte , Alycia Halladay et al. (2019). Factors impacting employment for people with autism spectrum disorder: A scoping review . Autism, 23(4), 869-901. SAGE Publications.
    Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
  50. Handicap.gouv.fr (2022), “L’emploi accompagné: retrouvez la brochure de présentation | handicap.gouv.fr”, Consulté 8 janvier 2024, à l’adresse, available at: https://handicap.gouv.fr/lemploi-accompagne-retrouvez-la-brochure-depresentation
    Type: Other
    Crossref
  51. Jessica M. Schwartzman , Blythe A. Corbett (2024). Depression and Employment Outcomes in Autistic Adults: A Systematic Review . Review Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 11(1), 157-171. Springer Science and Business Media LLC.
    Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
  52. Rae Morris , Andrea Greenblatt , Michael Saini (2019). Healthcare Providers’ Experiences with Autism: A Scoping Review . Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 49(6), 2374-2388. Springer Science and Business Media LLC.
    OpenAlex
  53. Fanny Jaffrès (2024). Déployer l’Ésat hors des murs suffit-il à déségréguer les travailleur·euse·s handicapé·e·s? La Nouvelle Revue du Travail, 24, 24. OpenEdition.
    Type: Article DOI: 10.4000/nrt.15702
    Crossref OpenCitations
  54. Ghaidaa Khalifa , Zonera Sharif , Madiha Sultan , Briano Di Rezze (2020). Workplace accommodations for adults with autism spectrum disorder: a scoping review . Disability and Rehabilitation, 42(9), 1316-1331. Informa UK Limited.
    Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
  55. Steven K. Kapp *Autistic author. Learn more… (2019). How social deficit models exacerbate the medical model: Autism as case in point . Autism Policy Practice, 2(1), 3.
    Type: Article OpenAlex: https://openalex.org/W2989969085
    Crossref OpenAlex
  56. Maria Concetta Lo Bosco (2023). ‘Bodies that never grow’: How psychiatric understanding of autism spectrum disorders affects autistic people's bodily experience of gender, ageing, and sexual desire . Journal of Aging Studies, 64, 101101. Elsevier BV.
    Crossref OpenCitations
  57. (2012). A Realist Approach For Qualitative Research . A Realist Approach For Qualitative Research.
    Type: Other
    Crossref
  58. Anna Melissa Romualdez , Zachary Walker , Anna Remington (2021). Autistic adults’ experiences of diagnostic disclosure in the workplace: Decision-making and factors associated with outcomes . Autism & Developmental Language Impairments, 6, 23969415211022955. SAGE Publications.
    Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
  59. (2019). Healthcare providers’ experiences with autism: a scoping review . Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 49(6), 2374.
    Type: Other DOI: 10.1007/s10803019-03912-6
    Crossref
  60. (2017). Predictors of employment status among adults with autism spectrum disorder . Work (Reading, Mass.), 56(2), 345.
    Type: Other DOI: 10.3233/wor172492
    Crossref
  61. United Nations (2006). Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities .
    Type: Other
    Crossref